Fall Signing Day: Water polo, swimming notes

A notable athlete was absent from Santa Margarita’s signing day ceremony, but he had a good excuse.

Grant Shoults, the Register’s reigning swimmer of the year who committed to Stanford in late July, was in Minneapolis preparing for the Arena Pro Swim Series meet, which runs Thursday through Saturday. The meet features Michael Phelps among others.

“My goal is to get in as many A finals as possible so I can get to race the guys that I grew up watching on TV,” Shoults said.

Shoults, who will represent his Mission Viejo Nadadores club at the meet, planned to sign Wednesday night with the Cardinal.

Santa Margarita’s Marc Morizono, a Cornell commit, also is competing in Minneapolis.

GIRLS WATER POLO

San Clemente water polo center Amber McCutcheon (San Jose State) and attacker Alaina Cousineau (USC) signed Wednesday. The duo helped the Tritons finish as the CIF Division 2 runner-up last season to South Coast League rival El Toro.